We saw nobody after mile 287. The people in the 8 cars in the spit parking lot must have been using the road on the bay side of the spit.

Notable Wildlife:

Multiple bald eagles, both mature and immature were feeding on the carcass of a mammal. Nearby the crows were waiting. On the return trip, 2 large dark birds with white underwings circled the carcass. The eagles flew off allowing the other 2 to land and have at what was left of the mammal. I suspect it was a pair of osprey.

Dead Birds:

Total:

2

Signs of oil:

0

Entanglement:

0

Species/names:

One was a northern fulmar. The other was a single wing from a smaller alcid group bird. I would guess a rhinoceros auklet.

The beach was fairly clean. We have seen it much worse. There was some of the usual plastic bottles, containers, and wrappers. There were short sections of crab rope as well as 1 commercial crab float. The largest item was a blue plastic 55 gallon drum. It was partially filled, but I would guess it was sea water. The high tides and surf deposited lots of wood, rocks, shells, and kelp.

New Development:

none

Modifications:

none

Natural Changes:

As usual Mile 289 has no sign of erosion even after big tides and swells. No surprises

Comments:

For decades we have seen mile 289 expand to the west as sand gets deposited. Last year we noted that half way down the spit in the area of the former Bayocean community, erosion was affecting the foredune. Experts who monitor the south jetty predicted that as the jetty eroded and became shorter, the spit near the jetty would accumulate sand, but the mid section of the spit would see erosion. This year there is major erosion on the foredune near Bayocean. It must be a 15 to 20 foot drop at the highest dune. But there has been no net loss of beach since the mid 80's. The one very noticeable taller dune (from Bay City esp) between Cape Meares and the forested dunes was right next to the wet sand in 1985. Today it sits well back from wet sand.

Summary:

There were a couple of firsts on this survey. This is the first one we have done after missing the last equinox and solstice time slots. It was good to be back at it. We can blame bad weather, high surf, and a nagging leg injury for the delay. It was also the first time that we have seen a large group and bald eagles working on a carcass. There must have been over a dozen of the big birds. And lastly we saw a single gull over something in the surfline. It turned out to be a possum. How did it get into the ocean? Maybe an eagle grabbed it and let it go over the ocean.

I do have to comment on the fencing and restrictions that are in force during the spring through fall. This is for plover protection. There are small signs directing people and their animals away from the fenced area and to the wet sand. BUT on this sign is a dog icon with an slash throught it. It is off limits to all dogs. I searched for "Bayocean Spit Hike." There are pages of sites. All talk about a great family hike. I only saw 1 that said dog restrictions are in effect. But it said dogs must be on leashes. This hike is widely promoted, but many famlies and individuals with dogs will be in violation. If you really want to protect nesting birds, put up large signs saying all dogs must be leashed. And post a phone number to report violations. The current situation is foolish and wrongheaded.

Many bald eagles gathered to pick this small carcass clean. Shoe gives an idea of size.

Oregon Mile 289.

January 28, 2019

How did this possum end up in the surf?

Mile 289 South end.

January 28, 2019

Dune Erosion Mid Bayocean Spit

January 28, 2019

No Dune erosion on mile 289 near jetty

near south jetty

January 28, 2019

Other Mile 289 Reports (47)

2019

June 16, 2019 - ollikainen

This is a partial survey. In the spring, the southern end of Mile 289 was posted as a bird nesting area. Now the beginning of the restricted area is about a quarter mile closer to the jetty. The...

It was great to see the large number of SOLV bags loaded and ready for hauling. The volunteers who walked all the way to the jetty deserve kudos. A State Park truck was there collecting bags, but it...

Mile 289 continues to be stable and human activity is limited. Bayocean Spit is popular with equestrians. The Tillamook Bay jetties are problematic. As the swells rise, there are breaking waves that...